Constraining the role of Type Ia and Type II supernovae in galaxy groups by spatially resolved analysis of ROSAT and ASCA observations

We present the results of modelling the distribution of gas properties in the galaxy groups HCG 51, HCG 62 and NGC 5044, and in the poor cluster AWM 7, using both ASCA SIS and ROSAT data. The spectral quality of the ASCA data allows the radial distribution in the abundances of several elements to be resolved. In all systems apart from HCG 51, we see both central cooling flows and a general decline in metal abundances with radius. The ratio of iron to α-element abundances varies significantly, and, in comparison with theoretical supernova yields, indicates a significant contribution to the metal abundance of the intergalactic medium from Type Ia supernovae. This is seen both within the groups and throughout much of the cluster AWM 7. The total energy input into the IGM from supernovae can be calculated from our results, and is typically 20–40 per cent of the thermal energy of the gas, mostly from Type II supernovae. Our results support the idea that the SN II ejecta have been more widely distributed in the IGM, probably owing to the action of galaxy winds, and the lower iron mass-to-light ratio in groups suggests that some of this enriched gas has been lost altogether from the shallower potential wells of the smaller systems.